Aaron Gordon Reveals Hidden Toll of Injury That Could Have Shattered Nuggets’ Playoff Run: “I Gave It My All”

You know, when a team goes down in flames like the Denver Nuggets did against the Oklahoma City Thunder—literally getting rolled in a Game 7 blowout—it’s easy to forget the grit behind the scenes. But here’s the kicker: Aaron Gordon, that rugged forward, didn’t just show up; he practically risked his entire leg to fight for his squad. Picture this: a Grade 2 hamstring strain, a doubtful tag on the lineup card, yet Gordon’s out there hustling, limping through 125-93 destruction. It’s one thing to play hurt, another to do so with full eyes on the prize, knowing full well he’d probably have to pull back for a few games if they’d advanced. That kind of sacrifice? Yeah, it hits differently. Beyond the scoreboard and injury reports lies a deeper critique—this brutal postseason schedule is eating players alive. Gordon’s weariness isn’t just personal pain; it’s a symptom of a system pushing these athletes past the brink. And when even the league’s stars—Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum—are sidelined or soldiering through torn tendons, maybe it’s time we rethink the grind. Gordon’s story isn’t just about one hamstring. It’s about a relentless battle against the clock, fatigue, and the very structure of professional basketball itself. LEARN MORE.

Gordon noted part of the reason behind his hamstring injury is the NBA’s busy postseason schedule. Teams often get only one day in between playoff games; if the Nuggets had won, the next series would have tipped off Tuesday with only one day off.”Just wish I would’ve played better,” Gordon added.When asked whether he would have been able to keep playing had the Nuggets won and advanced, Gordon said he likely would have had to sit out two or three games as a result of powering through on Sunday.

When asked whether he would have been able to keep playing had the Nuggets won and advanced, Gordon said he likely would have had to sit out two or three games as a result of powering through on Sunday.

When asked whether he would have been able to keep playing had the Nuggets won and advanced, Gordon said he likely would have had to sit out two or three games as a result of powering through on Sunday.

“Aaron Gordon is incredible,” Adelman said, noting the intense circumstances that Gordon persevered through. “That was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. … It’s just a testament to his toughness.”

“A travel day and a recovery day, just two days, I think the product of the game would be a lot better,” Gordon said. “Just to give all these professional athletes just one more day of rest, and you would see a higher level of basketball. Probably less blowouts.”

“That was probably it. At least for two or three games, into the next round. So I was saying, maybe I can get through this one and then rest a little bit, come back later in the next series,” Gordon said.